Oakham School Overview
Founded in 1584, Oakham School is set in the heart of Oakham, next to Oakham Castle and All Saints’ Church. While not housed in a castle, the school has a strong reputation and a long history. It offers both boarding and day options and maintains selective admissions. Students can choose between A Levels and the IB Diploma for their Sixth Form studies. The school promotes a holistic approach to education, aiming to develop both character and ability. Its main competitors are generally considered to be Oundle and Uppingham.
Oakham supports academic growth with excellent facilities. These include art studios, a modern language lab, and the well-equipped Smallbone Library. The Art and Design Department is particularly respected among central England boarding schools, offering advanced tools and resources for creative subjects. Students taking A Levels can choose from a wide range of options, including sport science, theatre studies, and art: critical and contextual. Class sizes are small, capped at 24, allowing for focused and personalised teaching.
Table of Contents
Oakham School Courses And Programmes
Lower School (Years 7–8)
Students engage in a broad curriculum that includes core subjects such as Mathematics, English, Sciences, Modern and Classical Languages, Humanities, Computer Science, and Creative and Performing Arts. This stage emphasizes the development of foundational knowledge and skills across various disciplines.
Middle School (Years 9–11)
In Year 9, students continue with a wide range of subjects, including separate sciences, languages, and humanities. Interdisciplinary projects are incorporated to help students make connections between different areas of study. For example, a project on Warfare and Medicine integrates historical perspectives with biological sciences.
Upper School (Years 12–13)
Students choose between two academic pathways: the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or a combination of A-levels and BTECs. This flexibility allows students to tailor their studies to their interests and future aspirations. The school provides a wealth of curriculum opportunities, including society talks, presentations, and the chance to study subjects beyond the standard syllabus.
Oakham School Fees
Middle & Upper School (Years 9–13)
| Type | Total Fee (per term) |
|---|---|
| Boarding | £18,570 |
| Weekly Boarding | £16,740 |
| Day | £10,968 |
Forms 1 & 2 (Years 7–8)
| Type | Total Fee (per term) |
|---|---|
| Boarding | £14,574 |
| Flexible Boarding – 5 nights | £13,452 |
| Weekly Boarding – 4 nights | £12,900 |
| Flexible Boarding – 3 nights | £11,982 |
| Flexible Boarding – 2 nights | £11,148 |
| Day | £9,300 |
Oakham School Boarding And Pastoral Care
Oakham has 16 boarding houses: four for younger pupils, two for Sixth Formers, and ten for students aged 13 to 17. Around half the pupils are full boarders, while others choose flexi-boarding, staying between two and five nights a week.
Each house provides a safe and supportive environment. Pupils are cared for by housemasters or housemistresses, supported by mentors, the School Chaplain, medical centre staff and counsellors. The aim is to create a homely, welcoming atmosphere where pupils feel secure and well looked after.
Parents are actively encouraged to stay involved. They’re invited to attend house events such as concerts and drama productions, and can also take their children out for tea, helping to maintain strong family ties.
Oakham School Extracurricular Activities
Oakham offers extensive sports facilities, including a 40-acre sports field, a well-equipped sports centre, an indoor swimming pool, two all-weather pitches, squash courts, and a gym. With 12 full-time and 20 visiting coaches, pupils can take part in a wide range of sports such as rugby, cricket, hockey, and even ice hockey.
The school also places strong emphasis on the arts and creativity. Pupils take part in around 80 concerts each year, and the annual Art, Design and Technology Exhibition in May showcases work from Years 5 to 7. A wide range of art courses is available, including life drawing, abstract art, sculpture, and jewellery making.
Each week, two afternoons are set aside for co-curricular activities. Pupils can explore interests such as film production, stone carving, yoga, and more. This balanced approach supports both physical development and creative expression.